Under 16 County C Football Championship Final 2016 Match Report - 30/11/2016

Under 16 County C Football Championship Final 2016 Match Report

Adrigole u16s retained their title of County C Championships on Saturday afternoon on a score line of Adrigole 3.10 Dromtarriff 2.06. Their path to the final prepared them well for this game with 5 hard fought games including victories over Kilmichael (replay and West league final) Gabriel Og, Naomh Aban (West final) and Cill na Matra.

The game was played under glorious conditions at Cill na Martra GAA grounds on Saturday afternoon. Dromtarriff who were the Northern champions played in green (both teams traditionally play in predominantly red) Adrigole representing the western district played in white. Referee John Ryan of Macroom took charge and the game started on the stroke of 2.30.

Adrigole settled well and raced into a 3 point lead in the opening 6 minutes courtesy of brothers Ryan 0.2 and Seanie O'Sullivan 0.1. Younger brother Christopher lined out at wing forward and combined well with his 2 brothers in the opening half. Dromtarriff responded with the next point to leave the score 0.3 to 0.1 after 8 minutes in favour of Adrigole.

Adrigole then went on a scoring burst reeling off 4 unanswered points in a 10 minute spell to race into a 0.7 to 0.1 lead. The first came courtesy of impressive wing forward Sean O'Shea who stepped inside his man before calmly slotting over a classy point. Two points from Ryan O'Sullivan were followed by a point from towering mid fielder Neil O'Sullivan. At this stage Adrigole were well on top with full back Luke Crowley dominating Dromtarriff hot shot Thomas Howard and young Darragh O'Sullivan at corner back again putting in a tremendous performance.

Dromtarriff answered with 2 points of their own to leave the score at 0.7 to 0.3 after 20 minutes of play.

Next score was a piece of individual class, Adrigole captain Seanie O'Sullivan picked the ball up at mid field, played a one two with Ryan and danced his way through the Dromtarriff defence before billowing the net with a cracking finish.

Back came Dromtarriff who won a penalty and despite the best efforts of Adrigole’s No. 1 Neil O'Sullivan the penalty was scored by Killian O’Sullivan. Neil has had an excellent year for Adrigole between the posts and again gave a fine performance in this county final. This goal was closely followed by a Dromtarriff point to leave the half time score of Adrigole 1.07 Dromtarriff 1.04.

The opening score of the second half was an Adrigole point from the boot of Seanie O'Sullivan which was cancelled out by a Dromtarriff free. Next came a devastating 5 min spell courtesy of the outstanding Ryan O'Sullivan who scored 2.01 in this spell to put Adrigole firmly in control. His power pace and finishing has been a feature of Adrigole’s year. During this period the Adrigole half back line dominated the game. Wing back young Tiernan Sullivan came up with some vital interceptions and stuck to his man all day. Centre back Mikey Crowley lead by example proving a rock at the heart of the defence winning kick outs charging up field and tackling anyone who came his way. On the other wing Diarmuid O'Sullivan gave the display of his career carrying the ball out of defence and linking up with midfield and forwards while all the time covering his back line. All through the game the large Adrigole support were treated to an exhibition of fielding and long range kick passing from midfielder Neil O'Sullivan, indeed several scores were as a result of these passes into Ryan O'Sullivan.

Back came Dromtarriff with a well taken quick free kick by Conor O'Callaghan finding the net followed by a point from play to leave the score at 3.09 to 2.06.

Adrigole introduced sub Mikey O'Sullivan who was quickly into the action picking up a neat pass from Charlie O'Sullivan and testing the Dromtarriff goalie Shane Buckley who was equal to the challenge. The final score of the day came from the hard working Charlie O'Sullivan kicking over a classy point, having just turned 14 "Cha Cha" picked up his 2nd county u16 medal having been the youngest member of the 2015 panel.

The final whistle was greeted with scenes of joy amongst the Adrigole players, mentors and large group of supporters. Final score Adrigole 3.10 Dromtarriff 2.06.

Presentation to captain Seanie O'Sullivan was made by Gearoid O'Healaithe of Central Coiste and Kevin Green of the West Board.